PLANETARY DETAILS:

Outsiders find it hard to judge where the world of Irian ends and the Irian Technologies conglomerate begins. Though the planet is legally a distinct entity, Irian is a corporate fief, with a series of contracts weaving civil government and commercial enterprises into a cohesive whole. Consequently, IrTech is more than a simple corporation-it forms a nebulous and unofficial commercial province centered on Irian, and so the world is simultaneously more and less than an independent planet. It has all the trappings of a regional capital-including fine buildings, renowned museums and a high standard of living, all funded by IrTech-but its people are legally bound to the corporation. Indeed, Camlann v. Free Worlds does not apply to Irian, which the law regards as a corporate entity rather than a political member-state of the FWL, protecting the conglomerate from hostile political maneuvers.

Beyond the factory complexes in places like Kirin River amid the broad valleys of western Indran, little sets Irian apart from its neighbors. It has an average climate, nondescript terrain (all four continents-Indran, Hathor, Bruin and Kriess-are gently rolling landscapes lacking broad plains and significant uplands) and few natural resources. Tolerable for humanity (save for the inedible natural vegetation), its very blandness makes it an ideal corporate haven. Few distractions exist for the population, and little attracts outsiders. Imports meet most of Irian's resource needs, particularly foodstuffs; the few local foods palatable to humans have little texture or taste.

The historical Duchy of Irian has had little to do with the planet in the modern era, but the title remained in use as recently as 3028. The last holder of the title, however, was stripped of his rank on the eve of the Fourth Succession War, after the Helm debacle. Ever since, IrTech has used various legal initiatives (mostly trademark infringement suits) to prevent the title from being passed on.

Located just coreward of the Marik Commonwealth, Irian is best known for its vast BattleMech manufacturing centers. This heavily garrisoned world has been invaded only once, by the Lyran Commonwealth in 2842, and the factories were left undamaged in the subsequent fighting.

A survey taken in 3025 indicates that, of all the worlds in the Free Worlds League, the people of Irian spend more time per capita watching videos than any other. The reason for this is unknown; neither the quality of the technology or the variety of programming is any better here than elsewhere in the League. Perhaps it has something to do with Irian's seasonal changes, which make people sluggish in the summer and restless in the winter, or perhaps there is something narcotic in the environment.

The Irian landscape offers little of interest to either tourists or developers. Inedible grass covers most of the hilly or mountainous land, and the flatlands consist mostly of deserts with few minerals of any value. The oceans and rivers yield little in the way of seafood. Despite the fact that the people of Irian have to import most of their food (or perhaps because of it), Irian cuisine is notoriously bland.

The Irian 'Mech factory is situated in the base of Soapstone Mountain, a location similar to the much larger Hesperus II facilities in the Federated Commonwealth. This attempt at fortification has not prevented its near destruction in the past, most recently at the hands of Anton Marik's rebels in 3014.

[3070 update]

[3075 update]

Socio-Industrial Levels:

EMPLOYER SITUATION REPORT:

With the increasing conflict over Thomas Marik's death and with no single person responsible for the FWLM we have discovered from SLDF DIS operatives that Lady Alys's supporters are going to take the planet using mercenaries. We expect the 13th Marik Militia will be hamstrung and refuse to take sides but there is no guarantee.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

1) Defend the MHB Depot with the help of the SLDF unit (Ra's Dragoons).
2) As Ra's Dragoons is slow and lumberous, take up all recon and patrol duties.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

1) Try to avoid provoking the 13th Marik Militia, they hate the SLDF but they should realize the political consquences of attacking the SLDF.